Exchange

"Deal."

Simu didn't bother with false modesty, stating his terms directly.

A spell capable of blocking foreign rifles with such low requirements was simply too rare to pass up.

It wasn't that the Maoshan Sect lacked spells to stop foreign rifles, but they all required at least the Foundation Establishment stage to cast, or demanded incredibly precious materials.

Being a Taoist priest in these times wasn't exactly safe. While local warlords generally feared the various arts of Taoists and avoided provoking them, there were always some thick-headed fools around.

If they ever set up a hundred rifles and opened fire, you'd be dead with nowhere to seek justice.

"Fine, it's a deal."

Lu Yan smiled and nodded, not at all surprised.

With that, Lu Yan pulled a stack of paper and two pens from the Kamui Dimension, placing them on the table to begin writing.

Seeing Lu Yan act so decisively, Simu was momentarily stunned, his impression of the man improving even further as he picked up another sheet of paper to begin his own transcription.

On the other side, Chen Yulou was heading straight for Simu's residence, accompanied by Hua Maguai, Red Maiden, and Kunlun.

Simu had deliberately chosen a location in the middle of nowhere; there wasn't a soul for a hundred miles, and it was a hundred and twenty miles away from Huaiyin County.

Chen Yulou and his companions were all martial artists with stamina far beyond that of ordinary men, yet after traveling for the better part of the day, they had only covered half the distance.

"Chief, it's about to get completely dark. Let's rest before pushing on."

Hua Maguai looked at the dimming sky and the dense forest surrounding them, offering his suggestion.

"Very well, let's take a short break."

Chen Yulou nodded, sitting down on a piece of bluestone and picking up his waterskin for a drink.

Red Maiden and Kunlun sat down nearby as well; even with their superior constitutions, traveling for most of the day had not been easy.

"Chief, why are we in such a rush this time?"

Red Maiden wiped the sweat from her face with a bit of water and turned to ask Chen Yulou.

When Chen Yulou had set out, he wore a green robe and spectacles, looking every bit the refined gentleman. Now, after a long day of travel, he looked slightly disheveled. As he leaned against the bluestone and adjusted his clothes, he replied:

"I made inquiries before leaving. Daoist Simu should have just returned from his corpse-driving journey. If we don't hurry, he might head out again, and there's no telling how long we'd have to wait. The refugees in the four regions cannot afford to wait."

"Everyone, hold on a little longer. We'll travel through the night to arrive as soon as possible."

At this moment, Simu and Lu Yan were reviewing the exchanged spells, occasionally asking and answering questions, the atmosphere quite harmonious.

"I never imagined Western arts could be so marvelous."

Simu had initially been somewhat confused by the Repulsion Field, but after hearing Lu Yan's explanation, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"The Maoshan Sect truly lives up to its reputation for talismans; there is so much nuance to drawing them."

Lu Yan had also gained a great deal. Not only did he understand the techniques for the Godly Travel Talisman and the Vajra Talisman, but he also gained a deeper insight into the art of talisman-making.

The Maoshan Sect had truly mastered the craft. Maoshan priests didn't just use their own mana to draw talismans; they could also borrow from the timing, the terrain, and the people.

Drawing different talismans at different times not only saved effort but also increased their power significantly.

They could even set up altars to borrow the power of the earth's veins through special rituals.

Even more impressive was the ability to worship the founding masters and borrow their power directly to draw talismans, without needing to lift a finger oneself.

"Haha, not at all, not at all."

Simu waved his hand, attempting to be humble, though the pride on his face was impossible to conceal.

Just as Simu and Lu Yan were deep in conversation, a sound of chanting suddenly drifted over.

"Here we go again."

Simu let out a cold snort, his face hardening.

"Daoist Simu, is that Master Yixiu chanting?"

Lu Yan naturally recognized who was chanting, but he asked nonetheless.

"Who else could it be? Chanting day in and day out, yet I've yet to see him ascend to the Western Paradise."

Simu glared at Yixiu's house not far away, his expression sour as he spoke with irritation.

"Oh."

Seeing Simu's reaction, a kindly smile appeared on Lu Yan's face as he said:

"I happen to have a Soundproofing Array. I wonder if Daoist Simu would be interested in a trade?"

"Is it troublesome to set up?"

Simu looked at Lu Yan with suspicion, though he couldn't help but ask.

"The materials are simple. Once set up, it can be used for a long time; you only need to input a bit of mana each time you use it."

"Deal."

Simu listened to the chanting that was still pouring in incessantly, his expression shifted, and he asked in a deep voice.

"What do you want?"

"It's simple: Evil-Exorcising Talismans and Corpse-Suppressing Talismans."

A brilliant smile bloomed on Lu Yan's face.

"You brat, you really live up to that belly full of foreign education—you're wicked to the core. Sooner or later, you're going to bleed me dry."

Now that Simu was familiar with Lu Yan, he didn't bother with polite formalities, and he had already made up his mind not to trade with this kid again.

"You can't put it that way; it's mutual benefit."

Lu Yan, in a good mood, began writing down the method for setting up a Soundproofing Array on a piece of paper.

Seeing this, Simu could only shake his head and began to write as well.

By the time Lu Yan finished guiding Simu through the setup of the first Soundproofing Array, it was already late at night. Lu Yan yawned, feeling a bit sleepy, so he cupped his hands toward Daoist Simu and said, "That's enough for today, Daoist Simu. I'm going to get some sleep."

"Fine."

Simu didn't even turn his head, still busy tinkering with the Soundproofing Array; he was clearly very curious about this different system of techniques.

"Now that old monk won't be able to bother me anymore."

Simu tested the Soundproofing Array, and sure enough, the chanting was completely inaudible. He laughed with satisfaction.

Not far away, Jiale was by the window, happily chatting with Qingqing using a makeshift telephone made of cotton thread and bamboo tubes. Suddenly hearing his master's laughter, he couldn't help but shiver.

"Jiale, what's wrong? Over."

Seeing Jiale trembling by the window, Qingqing asked through the bamboo tube.

"Qingqing, my master suddenly started laughing over there, and it gave me a fright. Over."

Jiale replied, holding his own bamboo tube.

"Then what is your master doing? Over."

"It seems my master is exchanging techniques with Brother Lu. Over."

"Brother Lu is so amazing. I feel like he knows so much. Over."

"Yeah, and he's a really good person. My master has never even bought me new clothes. Over."

"Your master is really stingy. Over."

"Yeah, not only is my master stingy, he's also very petty. Over."

Simu, standing not far from Jiale, listened until his face turned black. He walked straight over and rapped Jiale on the head.

"Ouch!"

"Jiale, what's wrong? Over."

"My master heard everything I said. He hit me. Over."

"Your master is really not human. Over."

Simu's mouth twitched with rage. He snatched the bamboo tube from Jiale's hand and shouted:

"Your master is the one who isn't human!"

"Over."

With that, Simu gave a sharp tug and pulled the bamboo tube from the other end back to him.

Turning around to look at Jiale, Simu wore a loving smile. He reached out, pinched Jiale's cheek, pulled it, and said with a grin:

"Jiale, Master loves you so much."

"Ma-Master, I was wrong."

Jiale's face was twisted in agony as his cheek was pulled.

"Then get lost and go to sleep."

Simu snorted and let go.

"Yes!"

Jiale hurriedly scurried back to his room.

Simu, with his hands behind his back, activated the Soundproofing Array and lay down on his bed. Feeling quite pleased, he began to sing in a theatrical tone.

"Finally, I, am, going to have a good night's sleep."